AM/FM CD player installation

[Keith Laser]

I purchased an AM/FM CD player on eBay as well as two speakers.  Does anyone have suggestions on the optimum place to install the unit and the speakers in my 1981 ComPac?  I don't have any electricity anywhere in the boat so that will be part of the installation.
I have seen in pictures of the control unit mounted forward and in some the control unit is mounted under the cabin entrance in front of the Styrofoam piece.  I have seen the speakers mounted on the cabin bulkhead and in some mounted with one on each side in the cockpit under the seats. 
I don't want to cut holes then be sorry.
Pictures would be helpful.
Thanks,
Keith

[multimedia_smith]

Think of cutting or drilling holes in your boat in the same way you would think of getting a tatoo. 

Please don't cut holes if you don't have to... there are some good surface mount speakers that don't require holes... you will devalue your boat for the future... Speakers come and speakers go... How old is your boat?  Aren't you glad the PO didn't make irreversible alterations on the basis of taste? 

I use a portable speaker (Logitech MM28) mounted to the underside of the wooden flip up seat at the stern center of the cockpit fed by my MP3 player.  The speaker runs on batteries (40hrs on 4 AAs ), but I also ran DC power to that location for when I used a trolling motor... you can to a 12v lighter adapter at that point.  I also installed a 12v lighter adapter on the forward bulkhead next to the electrical aux switch.

Sorry for the diatribe... I'm somewhat of a preservationist.

Happy Sailing
Dale

[Keith Laser]

Dale,

Thanks for the feedback on the radio installation. 

My boat is an 81 and there is no electrical system aboard.  I too added bolts to the transom to attach my Minn Kota, from the battery I located under the cabin entrance, but it keeps blowing the fuse.  From another post I was informed that it might be pulling as much as 50 amps so I need to try a bigger fuse and different gauge wire if I am going to get it to work properly.

As for the radio, I was thinking about mounting the radio on a piece of wood, along with the new 4 fuse panel I purchased, then fastening that assembly to the forward bulkhead up by the bow.  I'm going to add a 12v receptacle in the area that you suggested to run off of the two bolts that I have mounted for the trolling motor.

I hear you about the speakers.  Nonetheless, Saturday and Sunday afternoons sailing listening to Penn State or Eagles football outweigh my reservations about negatively impacting the boat's resale value.  I have seen installations in the cabin bulkhead, and some in the cockpit itself under the seats.  I'm leaning toward the cabin bulkhead with the speakers blaring aft.

I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Thanks again for the feedback. You have  many great ideas and pictures posted that are very helpful.
Keith

[multimedia_smith]

I can't remember the exact guage wire I ran aft... but it is really really heavy... next time I climb up there, I'll try to get it off the wires... I seem to remember #8 as being the size.  I too like to have tunes aboard, Prairie Home Companion on Saturday evenings is always a favorite.  I really love having the MP3 player, I use the Samsung YPT-9 which has an FM receiver in addition to 4 Gb of music in combo with the portable DC speaker.
Forgive my "soapbox" on the mods, but I feel that we're all basically custodians of these vererable craft.
May you have many happy hours aboard.
Dale

[B.Hart]

I use a cd, radio, tv boom box. The tv is not great but it plugs into a cig lighter outlet on my elect panel. (west marine) I also don't like to change too many things on my old boat, after 30+ years my 16 is very original and I plan to keep it that way.   BILL

[Craig Weis]

Well I covered the installation of an am/fm/CD with two speakers on my 19 on one of my posts way back.
You can go to the upper left of any post and click on 'skip' then on 'posts'. Works great.

I tried to make the installation a unobtrusive as possible. I did not cut any glass. Hard to hide but works well especially with the antenna configuration. skip.